If you have a background in English, journalism, or communications and are looking for a way to start working remotely, you may want to consider freelance editing jobs.
Many editors find that working as a freelancer is the best fit for their lifestyle because they can work when they want and where they want while choosing projects that interest them most.
In addition to being able to work from home and make your own hours, remote editor jobs offer a high degree of job security since being an editor is such a popular field.
Freelance editing jobs range from full-time positions with benefits to one-off gigs that pay hourly or per project.
You may be wondering what types of jobs are available for freelance editors, which will determine how much money you can make.
Here’s everything you need to know about which editor jobs are in demand and which ones aren’t!
Transcriptionist
As a transcriptionist, you’re responsible for creating a written record of a speech or meeting. It’s also your job to take down notes during interviews, conferences and meetings.
You’ll be using the transcript as reference material so that it can be referred back to in the future by others who may want to read it again or refer to specific points made during the original event.
Copy Editor And Proofreader
As a copy editor, your job is to check the grammar, spelling, and punctuation of content. You are also responsible for ensuring that the information in your assigned articles or books is accurate.
Whether you’re working with published writers or authors who have never published their work before, you’ll be assisting them in making sure their content is polished and error-free.
In addition to working with writers and editors on their pieces of writing, some freelance editors will also work with content creators directly on projects they’ve created themselves.
For example, if you were hired by an author who wanted to self-publish her memoirs but had never done so before (and therefore needed help with formatting).
Then you would edit both the text itself as well as its layout and design elements like photos or illustrations used throughout the book.[/section]
Substantive Or Line Editor
A substantive editor is the most senior-level editor position, while a line editor ranks second. Substantive editors work directly with writers and help shape their work into high quality publications.
They might also be involved in vetting ideas for new publications, pitching stories to clients, or helping to build out new outlets from scratch.
Substantive editors are responsible for everything from interpreting contracts to managing content calendars to writing headlines for articles the list goes on!
If you want to be an editor who has a hand in shaping what gets published and how it’s presented, this role is perfect for you.
Contrary to popular belief, not all editors are copy editors; there’s no rule stating that all editors must have a background in journalism (or even English) just because they’re editing someone else’s writing!
A copy editor checks spelling mistakes and grammar errors while proofreading ensures that every page of your publication is laid out correctly before it goes live online/in print/etcetera.
The difference between these two roles lies mostly within their respective job descriptions; if your primary focus is on spelling errors then go ahead and label yourself as simply “copy-editor.”
If not then consider applying those same skills towards something bigger such as promoting content marketing campaigns through social media channels where they’ll reach thousands more people than ever could by typing away at your desk alone!
Social Media Editor
If you’re a social media whiz, then you should know that there’s always a demand for editors who are capable of creating and managing content for social media pages.
Social media editors are responsible for developing and maintaining a social media strategy for their organization.
They create content for various platforms Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more and monitor the success of their posts by measuring engagement rates or clicks on links to other websites.
They also manage accounts on these platforms.
If you have experience in writing headlines or optimizing content for search engines (SEO/search engine optimization).
This could be an ideal role for you because it involves managing accounts with high visibility across multiple channels.
Senior Editor
A senior editor is someone who’s been in the industry for a while and has worked their way up to this title.
The job involves being able to manage other editors and writers, as well as being able to develop stories that will be appealing to readers.
To become a senior editor, you’ll want to start off by taking any editing courses available through your university or community college. After that, it’s time for some experience!
You can find freelance work online (just make sure it’s legitimate), but if you want something more secure than that then try looking into internships at local publications or even working for free at an internship program like New York Newsday.
Once you’ve gotten some experience under your belt, it should be easy enough for an employer like The New York Times or Washington Post Magazine to hire you on as a full-time employee!
Book And Website Content Editor
This is another one of the most in-demand freelance editing jobs, and it often comes with a hefty fee.
The first thing to note about this position is that it’s different from other professional editing positions in that book and website content editors edit text to make it easier to read and ensure that it’s grammatically correct.
They also check for spelling errors, punctuation issues, inconsistencies between sentences or paragraphs, missing words and phrases.
Some may even be responsible for proofreading (looking at an entire document to catch any errors) and fact-checking (verifying facts within a document).
Or editing (finalizing changes made by others after they’ve been edited) too! In short: this job requires a lot of attention to detail and pays well because of it!
Content Editor (print)
A content editor’s job is to take the information that will be published in a piece of writing and make it clear, concise, organized, and easy-to-understand.
This includes making sure there are no spelling or grammar errors.
A content editor also has to make sure that the text flows well from one paragraph to another (for example, starting with “The first step…” instead of “This is how you start…”).
There are some differences between what a content editor does and what a copy editor does; for example, content editors check for logical flow while copy editors check for spelling errors.
In general though, both types of editors ensure that the final product is easy for readers to comprehend.
Health & Wellness Editor
A health and wellness editor is responsible for creating content for a publication’s website or print edition, as well as advertising campaigns.
This can include features on fitness, nutrition, beauty and more. Editors may also be asked to edit the content of other writers or create their own pieces from scratch.
The skills needed to do this job include:
- Editing experience
- Strong writing skills
- Attention-to-detail
- Basic knowledge of InDesign (or other software) used for layout design
Digital Production Editor
Digital production editors are responsible for editing the digital content. They work in a variety of roles, including TV news and sports editing.
The role involves creating or modifying a video or audio file to meet various specifications such as length, quality and format.
News And Politics Editor
News and politics editor jobs are the most in-demand freelance editing jobs.
The median salary for this role is $45,000 per year, and it can take years of experience to land a job like this as a full-time employee.
Freelance news and politics editors typically work on developing strategies for writing content that will be shared with readers.
They may also be tasked with ensuring that writers have researched their subject matter thoroughly before publishing an article or blog post.
As a news and politics editor, you’ll need to know how to write compelling headlines that attract readers’ attention.
This means creating headlines that are interesting but don’t give away too much information about the body text below them (or even worse make them seem like clickbait).
You’ll also need good writing skills so that your content engages its audience while still representing your publication’s brand appropriately (e.g., using proper grammar).
Ebook Production And Layout Specialist
The e-book production and layout specialist is responsible for producing ebooks.
They must have the ability to create an ebook from scratch, or they may work with existing digital content, such as e-books, to create a new version of the book.
This can be done by converting webpages into a printable format or by editing the content for improved readability and formatting it for use in an eBook format.
Managing Editor Of Digital Content
A managing editor of digital content is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a team of freelance writers and copy editors.
You’ll be in charge of assigning articles, making sure they’re on time, ensuring that they meet quality standards, and sometimes even writing your own pieces.
In addition to their writing skills, managing editors need excellent communication skills so they can lead their team effectively.
A managing editor can expect to make between $50k-$80k per year at entry level and up to $150k per year at the highest levels of experience if working in a large media company or international news agency such as Reuters or AFP (Agence France Presse).
The education requirements are typically a bachelor’s degree; however some employers may require an advanced degree such as an MBA or Graduate Certificate in Journalism/Communications.
Conclusion
That’s why it’s important to understand the type of skills you want to learn and which roles might best suit that. Keep in mind that it can take time to find the right job, but don’t be discouraged.
Once you figure out the type of role you are looking for, the next step is finding a company that needs someone with those qualifications.
When considering a job offer, consider how long you will need to work there and whether or not your skills are transferable elsewhere within the company or organization before deciding on whether or not an opportunity is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Most In-Demand Freelance Editor Jobs?
The best freelance editing job is one which pays well, offers flexibility and lets you work on your own terms.
This can be a challenge when first starting out as an independent contractor, but there are plenty of options out there you just have to know where to look. Here are some examples:
Freelance editors who specialize in proofreading academic papers often charge by the page. A typical price might be $0.10 per word or $25 per hour (that’s about 37 cents per 100 words).
Some editors also offer discounts for small projects and may even do non-profit work for free or at reduced rates.
A freelance author with multiple books under his belt may charge around $100 per hour; this is based on his experience writing novels and short stories.
Freelances who edit screenplays typically receive between $30-$50 per script page plus additional fees for other services like formatting or revisions.”
If you’re interested in working as a freelance editor, here are some common questions and answers.
What Is A Freelance Editor?
A freelance editor makes money by editing pieces of writing for clients. They can work on any kind of document and have varying degrees of experience with the industry.
What Is A Freelance Copy Editor?
A copy editor will examine your written material and make sure it’s free from spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and other issues that could distract readers from the point you’re trying to get across.
Their job doesn’t end once the words are typed onto paper either; they also offer suggestions for how you can improve the clarity or flow of your work.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.